Scalea, Calabria

Overview

Discover Scalea: Private Tours, Experiences & Custom Travel

Scalea has played an important role in Italy's history as both the stomping grounds of Latin philosophers and as a Byzantine port, where merchants from around the world came to trade their goods.

Today, Scalea offers visitors a journey through time to that of the Byzantinian empire and to Magna Graecia.

The area in effect is a treasure trove of historical monuments from the Byzantine castle located at the height of Scalea's historical centre, to the "Talao" guarding post built by Turks on the sea. All of the historical monuments and museums in Scalea are free of charge and travelers can explore them at leisure.

Coastline at Scalea, , Photo by Jesse Andrews

In addition to numerous monuments, make sure to ask about the whereabouts of the Byzantine mosaics, which visitors may have trouble locating by themselves. Few travellers to Italy have ever seen the likes of these mosaics, but for those who have been privledged to see them leave with their mouths agape.

In addition to the fascinating historical monuments and architecture, Scalea also offers visitors hundreds of acres of deserted beaches kissed by aqua marine waters, grottos, mountains, a hot climate and a proud and hospitable culture with an outstanding cuisine consisting of a variety of Calabrese seafood, pasta and meat dishes.

Inland jaunts from Scalea to the surrounding mountain towns like Verbicaro and , will leave many people with the sense that they're not just visiting history - they are living it.

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Explore Scalea

Our own photographs

Scalea Through Our Eyes

Photographed during our own travels and research, these images follow the journey through Scalea, from the first view of the landscape to the small details that give the place its character.

Calabria Escorted Tours of Calabria

Calabria Escorted Tours to Scalea

Driver in Calabria to Scalea Beaches

Private Driver in Calabria

Scalea

Map

Get your bearings before you go

Multi-Day Holidays Tours

Whole journeys, planned end to end

Kingdom of the Sun: Undiscovered Calabria & Basilicata || Highlights include Maratea and the mountain-top redeemer, Praia a Mare and the Madonna Della Grotta, Diamante the city of murals. Cooking, food and wine and highlights with chef Michelangelo

Join us for an 8-day package in Calabria and explore the deep south of Italy, including the regions of Calabria and Basilicata. Our tour is centered around the charming town of Tortora, and from there, we embark on daily excursions to some of Calabri...

Private

8 Days / 7 Nights

Photo Gallery

The skyline of Florence at dusk, with Palazzo Vecchio and the Duomo

Italian American Life with Frankie D Our Founder on the Italian American Life Podcast: 20 Years of Living and Breathing Italy March 2025 Our founder Jesse Andrews joins Frankie D on Episode 144 to tell the story behind Italy Vacation Specialists, from a summer job in Calabria to planning custom trips across Italy. Read the story

All press & recognition

Aieta

Altomonte

Amantea

Cedri Riviera Calabria

Lavender Fields of the Parco Pollino National Park at Morano Calabro

Vibo Valentia

Aieta

Altomonte

Amantea

Cedri Riviera Calabria

Cosenza

Diamante

Dino Island

Gerace

Grisolia

Lamezia Terme

Lavender Fields of the Parco Pollino National Park at Morano Calabro

Maiera

Morano Calabro

Orsomarso

Papasidero

Parco Pollino

Pentidattelo

Praia a Mare

San Nicola Arcella

Scalea

Scilla & Chianalea

Stilo

Tortora

Tropea

Vibo Valentia

Our Featured Properties

Stays we picked one by one

Italy,Calabria,Vibo Valentia

Villa

Villa Costa Azzurra

4 Beds 3 Baths 8

Family Oriented +9 more

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Italy,Calabria,Praia a Mare

Villa

Villa Vecchia

5 Beds 5 Baths 10

Air Conditioning +14 more

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Getting here

The Road to Scalea

Most of our guests arrive by private car, with a driver who knows these roads and where it is worth stopping along the way. These are the journeys we arrange most often.

Lamezia Terme Calabria, Lamezia Terme Airport Matera Basilicata Salerno Campania Tropea Calabria Bari Puglia, Bari Airport Naples Campania, Capodichino Airport

City and Cathedral, South Italy, Lamezia Terme, Calabria

Clear Waters of Troea, Calabria Region Italy

Bari region of Apulia, Italy Big ferris wheel on the waterfront of Bari

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In their words

Stories That Stay With You

Here's what our guests share about their unforgettable journeys

“Dear Guiseppe and Jesse, We just returned from our most wonderful vacation to Italy and wanted to first thank you for putting together such a wonderful trip, and second to provide some feedback for the future. Hotels 1. Hotel Sovestro in San Gimignano was wond…”
Ron and Deb Crosby Read their story

“This company really knows their stuff and recommended our family to stay longer in each location. We didn't listen to them, but wished we had in every single place we went. They recommended Sestri Levante over the Cinque Terre which was our favourite destinati…”
Sean & Veet Chapman, CGA Read their story

“I am a travel agent from Lebanon and have organized several group tours as well as individual tours of Italy with Italy Vacation Specialists. I highly recommend them as one of the very best tour operators in Italy to work with, given their professionalism and…”
Nicole Haddad, Lebanese Travel Agent Read their story

“I am a travel agent with All About Honeymoons and I would highly recommend Italy Vacation Specialists. Jessica was wonderful in helping us plan in a last minute anniversary vacation during high season without any issues. She even checked on our clients while o…”
Tammy Joyce, All About Honeymoons Read their story

“I went to high school with the owner of the company who organized my honeymoon for myself and my now wife from Tokyo. We spent three short weeks seeing Piedmont and experiencing wine paradise there, then heading to Nice in France with our private driver and fl…”
Robin and Kumi Bruun, Tokyo Japan Read their story

“In September of 2018 I brought a group of 12 from Venice to Sicily and organized all of my services with the Italy Vacation Specialists. Being a travel agent and in the business, I know how complicated organizing travel arrangements can be in Italy and the IVS…”
Ann Brownell, KHM Travel Group Read their story